Express Winemakers Syrah 2018

Fruit for the 2018 Syrah blend came largely from O’Meara’s self-farmed, organic Trappers Gully Vineyard, a neighbouring site, and from another Mount Barker grower at the foot of the Porongurups (both also organic). All hand-picked, foot-stomped, wild-fermented and matured in a combination of old oak and ceramic.

2018 was a cracking vintage with noticeable acid retention across the board, but it really stands out with this wine that achieves brightness and balance without forsaking depth and concentration of flavour. The nose has seaweed, aniseed, soy sauce and dark fruit characters and the palate is lively with red and black fruits, white pepper and kirsch, its both juicy and savoury at once, with the slight grip of youthful tannins like licking a shark’s back. Ryan O’Meara – Winemaker